Decorative member

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to a decorative member including a color developing layer including a light reflective layer and a light absorbing layer provided on the light reflective layer; and a substrate provided on one surface of the color developing layer, wherein the light absorbing layer includes a copper oxide (Cu a O x ).

The present application is a National Phase entry pursuant to 35 U.S.C.§ 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2019/004293 filed Apr. 10,2019, and claims priority to and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2018-0041562, filed with the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Apr. 10, 2018, and Korean Patent Application No.10-2018-0132095, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office onOct. 31, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present application relates to a decorative member.

BACKGROUND

For cosmetic containers, various mobile devices and electronic products,product designs such as colors, shapes and patterns play a major role inproviding product values to customers in addition to product functions.Product preferences and prices are also dependent on designs.

As for cosmetic compact containers as one example, various colors andcolor senses are obtained using various methods and used in products. Amethod of providing colors to a case material itself and a method ofproviding designs by attaching a deco film implementing colors andshapes to a case material may be included.

In existing deco films, attempts have been made to develop colorsthrough methods such as printing and deposition. When expressingheterogeneous colors on a single surface, printing needs to be conductedtwo or more times, and implementation is hardly realistic when to applyvarious colors to a three-dimensional pattern. In addition, existingdeco films have fixed colors depending on a viewing angle, and even whenthere is a slight change, the change is limited to just a difference inthe color sense.

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: Korean Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.10-2010-0135837

SUMMARY

The present application is directed to providing a decorative member.

One embodiment of the present application provides a decorative memberincluding a color developing layer including a light reflective layerand a light absorbing layer provided on the light reflective layer; anda substrate provided on one surface of the color developing layer,wherein the light absorbing layer includes a copper oxide (Cu_(a)O_(x)),and c of the light absorbing layer represented by the following Equation1 is greater than or equal to 0.61 and less than or equal to 1.2 whenconducting a component analysis on any one point of the light absorbinglayer.

$\begin{matrix}{\omega = {\left( T_{x} \right) \times \left( \sigma_{x} \right)}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack \\{{{f\left( T_{1} \right)} = {\frac{T_{1}}{T_{0}}\left( {0 < T_{1} \leq T_{0}} \right)}}{{f\left( T_{1} \right)} = {f\left( {T_{1} + {n \times T_{0}}} \right)}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack \\{\sigma_{x} = \frac{x}{a}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

In Equation 1, T_(x) is a Ti-dependent function value of a functionrepresented by f(T₁), n is a positive integer of 1 or greater, and σ_(x)is represented by Equation 3,

in Equation 2, T₁ is a thickness of the light absorbing layer includingthe any one point of the light absorbing layer on which the componentanalysis is conducted, and T₀ is 60 nm, and

in Equation 3, a means an element content ratio of copper (Cu), and xmeans an element content ratio of oxygen (O).

A decorative member according to one embodiment of the presentspecification is capable of displaying cool tone colors by including alight absorbing layer including a copper oxide and having each elementcontent adjusted to a specific ratio.

The present application provides a decorative member having dichroismdisplaying different colors depending on a viewing direction and havingimproved visibility of the dichroism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a decorative member according to one embodiment ofthe present specification.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a decorative member having a lightabsorbing layer and a light reflective layer.

FIG. 3 illustrates one point of a light absorbing layer and a thicknessof the light absorbing layer including the same.

FIG. 4 illustrates a principle of light interference in a lightabsorbing layer and a light reflective layer.

FIG. 5 illustrates a decorative member according to one embodiment ofthe present specification.

FIG. 6 illustrates a decorative member according to another embodimentof the present specification.

FIG. 7 illustrates a decorative member according to a further embodimentof the present specification.

FIG. 8 illustrates a decorative member according to an additionalembodiment of the present specification.

FIG. 9 illustrates a decorative member according to a still furtherembodiment of the present specification.

FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate decorative members according to additionalembodiments of the present specification.

FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c illustrate decorative members according tofurther embodiments of the present specification.

FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and 12e illustrate decorative members accordingto still further embodiments of the present specification.

FIGS. 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d and 13e illustrate decorative members accordingto other embodiments of the present specification.

FIG. 14 illustrates a shape of a pattern layer according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a shape of a pattern layer according to anotherembodiment.

FIGS. 16a and 16b illustrate pattern structures formed according toother embodiments.

FIG. 17 illustrates a shape of a pattern layer according to a furtherembodiment.

FIGS. 18a and 18b illustrate pattern structures formed according toadditional embodiments.

FIG. 19 illustrates a shape of a pattern layer according to a stillfurther embodiment.

FIGS. 20a and 20b illustrate pattern structures formed according toother embodiments.

FIG. 21 illustrates a shape of a pattern layer according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates a shape of a pattern layer according to a anotherembodiment.

FIGS. 23a and 23b illustrate pattern structures formed according furtherembodiments.

FIG. 24 illustrates shapes of a pattern layer according to additionalembodiments.

FIG. 25 illustrates shapes of a pattern layer according to still furtherembodiments.

FIGS. 26a and 26b illustrate pattern structures formed according toother embodiments.

FIG. 27 is images of a pattern structure formed according to a furtherembodiment.

FIG. 28 is images of a pattern structure formed according to a anotherembodiment.

FIG. 29 is images of a pattern structure formed according to anadditional embodiment.

FIG. 30 is images of a pattern structure formed according to stillanother embodiment.

FIGS. 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, 31e, 31f, 31g, 31h, 31i are illustrations ofpattern structures according to further embodiments.

FIG. 32 shows a warm tone.

FIG. 33 shows a cool tone.

FIG. 34 shows colors according to an evaluation example (evaluation ofcolor).

FIG. 35 is a graph according to Equation 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the present specification will be described in detail.

In the present specification, “or” represents, unless defined otherwise,a case of selectively or all including those listed, that is, a meaningof “and/or”.

In the present specification, a “layer” means covering 70% or more of anarea where the corresponding layer is present. It means coveringpreferably 75% or more, and more preferably 80% or more.

In the present specification, a “thickness” of a certain layer means ashortest distance from a lower surface to an upper surface of thecorresponding layer.

In the present specification, colors displayed by a decorative membermay be defined by spectral characteristics of a light source,reflectance of an object, and color visual efficiency of an observer.

For objective color expression, colors need to be measured in a standardlight source and a standard observer, and colors are expressed in acoordinate of color space.

Colors of a decorative member may be displayed by a CIE Lab (L*a*b*)coordinate or a Lch coordinate providing visually uniform color space.L* represents brightness, +a* represents redness, −a* representsgreenness, +b* represents yellowness and −b* represents blueness, and C*and h* will be described later. In the color space, a total colordifference depending on an observation position may be expressed asΔE*ab=√{(ΔL)²+(Δa)²+(Δb)²}.

The colors may be measured using a spectrophotometer (CM-2600d,manufactured by Konica Minolta, Inc.), and reflectance of a sample maybe measured through a spectrophotometer and reflectance for eachwavelength may be obtained, and from this, a spectral reflectance graphand a converted color coordinate may be obtained. Herein, data areobtained at an 8-degree viewing angle, and, in order to see dichroism ofa decorative member, measurements are made in a horizontal direction anda vertical direction with respect to the decorative member.

The viewing angle is an angle formed by a straight line (d1) in a normaldirection of a color developing layer surface of a decorative member anda straight line (d2) passing through the spectrophotometer and one pointof the decorative member to measure, and generally has a range of 0degrees to 90 degrees.

Having a viewing angle of 0 degrees means measuring in the samedirection as a normal direction of a color developing layer surface of adecorative member.

In the present specification, a “light absorbing layer” and a “lightreflective layer” are layers having properties relative to each other,and the light absorbing layer may mean a layer having higher lightabsorbance compared to the light reflective layer, and the lightreflective layer may mean a layer having higher light reflectivitycompared to the light absorbing layer.

The light absorbing layer and the light reflective layer may each beformed in a single layer, or in a multilayer of two or more layers.

In the present specification, the light absorbing layer and the lightreflective layer are named by their functions. For light having aspecific wavelength, a layer reflecting light relatively more may beexpressed as the light reflective layer, and a layer reflecting lightrelatively less may be expressed as the light absorbing layer.

FIG. 1 illustrates a laminated structure of a decorative memberaccording to one embodiment of the present specification. FIG. 1illustrates a decorative member including a color developing layer (100)and a substrate (101). The color developing layer (100) includes a lightreflective layer (201) and a light absorbing layer (301). FIG. 1illustrates a structure in which the substrate (101) is provided on thelight absorbing layer (301) side of the color developing layer (100),however, the substrate may also be provided on the light reflectivelayer (201) side.

Through FIG. 2, the light absorbing layer and the light reflective layerare described. In the decorative member of FIG. 2, each layer islaminated in order of a L_(i−1) layer, a L_(i) layer and a L_(i+1) layerbased on a light entering direction, an interface I_(i) is locatedbetween the L_(i−1) layer and the L_(i) layer, and an interface I_(i+1)is located between the L_(i) layer and the L_(i+1) layer.

When irradiating light having a specific wavelength in a directionperpendicular to each layer so that thin film interference does notoccur, reflectance at the interface I_(i) may be expressed by thefollowing Mathematical Equation 1.

                       [Mathematical   Equation   1]$\frac{\left\lbrack {{n_{i}(\lambda)} - {n_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2} + \left\lbrack {{k_{i}(\lambda)} - {k_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2}}{\left\lbrack {{n_{i}(\lambda)} + {n_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2} + \left\lbrack {{k_{i}(\lambda)} + {k_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2}}$

In Mathematical Equation 1, n_(i)(λ) means a refractive index dependingon the wavelength (λ) of the i^(th) layer, and k_(i)(λ) means anextinction coefficient depending on the wavelength (λ) of the i^(th)layer. The extinction coefficient is a measure capable of defining howstrongly a subject material absorbs light at a specific wavelength, andthe definition is the same as a definition to be provided later.

Using Mathematical Equation 1, when a sum of reflectance for eachwavelength at the interface I_(i) calculated at each wavelength isR_(i), R_(i) is as in the following Mathematical Equation 2.

                       [Mathematical   Equation   2]$R_{i} = \frac{\sum\limits_{\lambda = {380\mspace{14mu} {nm}}}^{\lambda = {780\mspace{14mu} {nm}}}{\frac{\left\lbrack {{n_{i}(\lambda)} - {n_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2} + \left\lbrack {{k_{i}(\lambda)} - {k_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2}}{\left\lbrack {{n_{i}(\lambda)} + {n_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2} + \left\lbrack {{k_{i}(\lambda)} + {k_{i - 1}(\lambda)}} \right\rbrack^{2}}{\Delta\lambda}}}{\sum\limits_{\lambda = {380\mspace{14mu} {nm}}}^{\lambda = {780\mspace{14mu} {nm}}}{\Delta\lambda}}$

Hereinafter, a decorative member including the light reflective layerand the light absorbing layer described above will be described.

One embodiment of the present application provides a decorative memberincluding a color developing layer including a light reflective layerand a light absorbing layer provided on the light reflective layer; anda substrate provided on one surface of the color developing layer,wherein the light absorbing layer includes a copper oxide (Cu_(a)O_(x)),and c of the light absorbing layer represented by the following Equation1 is greater than or equal to 0.61 and less than or equal to 1.2 whenconducting a component analysis on any one point of the light absorbinglayer.

$\begin{matrix}{\omega = {\left( T_{x} \right) \times \left( \sigma_{x} \right)}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack \\{{{f\left( T_{1} \right)} = {\frac{T_{1}}{T_{0}}\left( {0 < T_{1} \leq T_{0}} \right)}}{{f\left( T_{1} \right)} = {f\left( {T_{1} + {n \times T_{0}}} \right)}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack \\{\sigma_{x} = \frac{x}{a}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$

In Equation 1, T_(x) is a T₁-dependent function value of a functionrepresented by f(T₁), n is a positive integer of 1 or greater, and σ_(x)is represented by Equation 3,

in Equation 2, T₁ is a thickness of the light absorbing layer includingthe any one point of the light absorbing layer on which the componentanalysis is conducted, and T₀ is 60 nm, and

in Equation 3, a means an element content ratio of copper (Cu), and xmeans an element content ratio of oxygen (O). For example, when thecontent of the copper (Cu) and the content of the oxygen (O) at the onepoint are each 50%, a and x may each be expressed as 0.5.

In the present specification, the content ratio of a specific elementmay mean an atomic percent (at %) of a specific element at any one pointof the light absorbing layer on which the component analysis isconducted.

In the decorative member according to one embodiment of the presentspecification, cool colors (cool tone) may be observed through the lightabsorbing layer by the light absorbing layer including a copper oxide(Cu_(a)O_(x)), adjusting a content ratio of each element of the copperoxide, and adjusting a thickness of the light absorbing layer to aspecific range. Herein, the relation between the content ratio of eachelement of the copper oxide and the thickness of the light absorbinglayer may be expressed as ω, a cool tone parameter, represented byEquation 1. The cool tone parameter may be expressed as ω_(c). Thesubscript c of ω_(c) means a cool tone.

In one embodiment of the present specification, ω represented byEquation 1 with respect to any one point (x) of the light absorbinglayer may be greater than or equal to 0.65 and less than or equal to1.2, greater than or equal to 0.65 and less than or equal to 1.1, orgreater than or equal to 0.66 and less than or equal to 1. Whensatisfying the above-mentioned numerical range, cool colors (cool tone)may be observed through the light absorbing layer, and among the coolcolors, a color that a user wants may be readily displayed.

In the present specification, the ‘any one point of the light absorbinglayer’ may mean any one point on a surface of or inside the lightabsorbing layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, T_(x) is a thicknessparameter represented by Equation 2. As the light absorbing layerthickness changes, warm colors (warm tone) or cool colors (cool tone)appear alternately, and color changes appear with the thickness having aconstant period (T₀). Herein, Tx may mean a ratio of the light absorbinglayer thickness (T₁) at any one point with respect to the constantperiod (T₀) of the light absorbing layer thickness. For example, whenthe constant period of the thickness is 60 nm, the Tx value when thelight absorbing layer has a thickness of nm, 100 nm and 160 nm is thesame as 0.67.

In Equation 2, T₁ is a thickness of the light absorbing layer includingany one point of the light absorbing layer. T₁ means, when selecting anyone point of the light absorbing layer, a thickness of the lightabsorbing layer including the one point. When observing a cross-sectionof the decorative member through a scanning electron microscope (SEM)and the like, an interface may be identified between the lightreflective layer and the light absorbing layer, and it may be identifiedthat a layer including a copper oxide is the light absorbing layerthrough a component analysis. Herein, any one point of the lightabsorbing layer is selected, and a thickness of the light absorbinglayer including the any one point may be calculated to be used as T₁.

Equation 2 represents a periodic function f(T₁) depending on a thickness(T₁) of the light absorbing layer. It means having the samef(T₁) valuedepending on a period T₀. This is shown in FIG. 35. According to FIG.35, f(T₁) appearing in a range of (0<T₁≤T₀) repeatedly appears having aconstant period (T₀). For example,f(0.5T₀) when T₁=0.5T₀ andf(1.5T₀)when T₁=0.5T₀+T₀ have the same value of 0.5.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a and x are the same asor different from each other, and may each have a value of greater than0 and less than 1.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a+x may be 1.

The thickness T₁ may mean, in a cross-section in a directionperpendicular to a surface direction of the light absorbing layer whileincluding any one point of the light absorbing layer, a length in thethickness direction of the light absorbing layer.

FIG. 3 presents a method of determining one point and a thickness of thelight absorbing layer. When selecting any one point (dot of FIG. 3) ofthe light absorbing layer, a content ratio parameter represented byEquation 3 is calculated through a component analysis on this point, anda width of a line segment perpendicular to a surface direction of thelight absorbing layer among line segments passing through this point iscalculated to calculate the thickness (T₁).

In addition, T₁ may be achieved by controlling a process pressure usedin deposition when forming the light absorbing layer, a flow rate of areactive gas with respect to a plasma gas, a voltage, a deposition timeor a temperature.

In the decorative member of the present disclosure, a cool tone or awarm tone repeatedly appears with a constant period depending on changesin the thickness of the light absorbing layer. Herein, T₀ may beexpressed as a “period of a light absorbing layer thickness in which acool tone repeatedly appears”.

The component analysis of the light absorbing layer may use atransmission X-ray component analysis. Specifically, the transmissionX-ray component analysis may be X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

In Equation 3, a means an element content ratio of copper (Cu), and xmeans an element content ratio of oxygen (O). The element content ratioof each element of the light absorbing layer may be measured usingmethods generally used in the art, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) or electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA, ThermoFisher Scientific Inc.) may be used.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the thickness parameterT_(x) may be greater than or equal to 0.51 and less than or equal to 1,preferably greater than or equal to 0.6 and less than or equal to 1, andmore preferably greater than or equal to 0.65 and less than or equalto 1. When satisfying the above-mentioned numerical range, cool colors(cool tone) may be more clearly observed in the decorative member.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the content ratioparameter σ_(x) may be greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than orequal to 3, greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 1.5,preferably greater than or equal to 0.3 and less than or equal to 1.5,and more preferably greater than or equal to 0.4 and less than or equalto 1.1. When satisfying the above-mentioned numerical range, cool colors(cool tone) may be more clearly observed in the decorative member. Theratio between these elements may be achieved by adjusting a gas fractionwhen depositing the copper oxide.

Specifically, after performing qualitative analyses by conducting asurvey scan in light absorbing layer surface and thickness directionsusing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or electron spectroscopyfor chemical analysis (ESCA, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.), aquantitative analysis is performed with a narrow scan. Herein, thequalitative analysis and the quantitative analysis are performed byobtaining the survey scan and the narrow scan under the condition of thefollowing Table 1. Peak background uses a smart method.

TABLE 1 Element Scan Section Binding Energy Step Size Narrow (Snapshot)20.89 eV 0.1 eV Survey −10 eV to 1350 eV   1 eV

In addition, the component analysis may be conducted by preparing alight absorbing layer slice having the same composition as the lightabsorbing layer before laminating the decorative member. Alternatively,when the decorative member has a structure of substrate/patternlayer/light reflective layer/light absorbing layer, an outermost edge ofthe decorative member may be analyzed using the method described above.In addition, the light absorbing layer may be visually identified byobserving a photograph of a cross-section of the decorative member. Forexample, when the decorative member has a structure of substrate/patternlayer/light reflective layer/light absorbing layer, the presence of aninterface between each layer is identified in a photograph of across-section of the decorative member, and an outermost layercorresponds to the light absorbing layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a hue-angle h* in CIELch color space of the light absorbing layer may be in a range of 105°to 315°, a range of 120° to 300°, a range of 135° to 300°, a range of160° to 300°, or a range of 200° to 300°.

When the Hue-angle h* is in the above-mentioned range, a cool tone maybe observed from the decorative member. A cool tone means satisfying theabove-mentioned numerical range in CIE Lch color space. Colorscorresponding to a warm tone are shown in FIG. 32 and colorscorresponding to a cool tone are shown in FIG. 33.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer may have L of 0 to 100, or 30 to 100 in CIE Lch color space.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer may have c* of 0 to 100, 1 to 80, or 1 to 60 in CIE Lch colorspace.

In the present specification, the CIE Lch color space is CIE Lab colorspace, and herein, cylinder coordinates c* (chroma, relative colorsaturation), L* (distance from L axis), and h* (hue-angle, hue-angle inCIE Lab hue circle) are used instead of a* and b* of Cartesiancoordinates.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer preferably has a refractive index (n) of 0 to 8 at a wavelength of400 nm, and the refractive index may be from 0 to 7, may be from 0.01 to3, and may be from 2 to 2.5. The refractive index (n) may be calculatedby sin θa/sin θb (θa is an angle of light entering a surface of thelight absorbing layer, and θb is a refraction angle of light inside thelight absorbing layer).

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer preferably has a refractive index (n) of 0 to 8 in a wavelengthrange of 380 nm to 780 nm, and the refractive index may be from 0 to 7,may be from 0.01 to 3, and may be from 2 to 2.5.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer has an extinction coefficient (k) of greater than 0 and less thanor equal to 4 at a wavelength of 400 nm, and the extinction coefficientis preferably from 0.01 to 4, may be from 0.01 to 3.5, may be from 0.01to 3, and may be from 0.1 to 1. The extinction coefficient (k) is −λ/4πI(dI/dx) (herein, a value multiplying λ/4π with dI/I, a reduced fractionof light intensity per a path unit length (dx), for example 1 m, in thelight absorbing layer, and herein, λ is a wavelength of light).

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer has an extinction coefficient (k) of greater than 0 and less thanor equal to 4 in a wavelength range of 380 nm to 780 nm, and theextinction coefficient is preferably from 0.01 to 4, may be from 0.01 to3.5, may be from 0.01 to 3, and may be from 0.1 to 1. The extinctioncoefficient (k) is in the above-mentioned range at 400 nm, or preferablyin the whole visible wavelength region of 380 nm to 780 nm, andtherefore, a role of the light absorbing layer may be performed in thevisible range.

A principle of a light absorbing layer having specific extinctioncoefficient and refractive index developing colors as above and aprinciple of color development of a decorative member developing colorsby adding a dye to an existing substrate are different. For example,using a method of absorbing light by adding a dye to a resin, and usinga material having an extinction coefficient as described above lead todifferent light absorption spectra. When absorbing light by adding a dyeto a resin, an absorption wavelength band is fixed, and only aphenomenon of varying an absorption amount depending on the changes inthe coating thickness occurs. In addition, in order to obtain a targetlight absorption amount, changes in the thickness of at least a fewmicrometers or more are required to adjust the light absorption amount.On the other hand, in materials having an extinction coefficient, awavelength band absorbing light changes even when the thickness changesby a several to tens of nanometer scale.

In addition, when adding a dye to an existing resin, only specificcolors by the dye are developed, and therefore, various colors may notbe displayed. On the other hand, by the light absorbing layer of thepresent disclosure using a specific material instead of a resin, anadvantage of displaying various colors is obtained by an interferencephenomenon of light without adding a dye.

According to the embodiments, light absorption occurs in an enteringpath and a reflection path of light in the light absorbing layer, and bythe light reflecting on each of a surface of the light absorbing layerand an interface of the light absorbing layer (301) and the lightreflective layer (201), the two reflected lights go through constructiveor destructive interference.

In the present specification, the light reflected on the surface of thelight absorbing layer may be expressed as surface reflected light, andthe light reflected on the interface of the light absorbing layer andthe light reflective layer may be expressed as interface reflectedlight. A mimetic diagram of such a working principle is illustrated inFIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates a structure in which a substrate (101) isprovided on the light reflective layer (201) side, however, thestructure is not limited to such a structure, and the substrate (101)may be disposed on other locations.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer may be a single layer, or a multilayer of two or more layers.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer may further include one, two or more selected from the groupconsisting of metals, metalloids, and oxides, nitrides, oxynitrides andcarbides of metals or metalloids. The oxides, nitrides, oxynitrides orcarbides of metals or metalloids may be formed under a depositioncondition and the like set by those skilled in the art. The lightabsorbing layer may also include the same metals, metalloids, alloys oroxynitrides of two or more types as the light reflective layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the thickness (T₁) ofthe light absorbing layer may be determined depending on target colorsin a final structure, and for example, may be greater than or equal to 1nm and less than or equal to 300 nm, greater than or equal to 31 nm andless than or equal to 60 nm, greater than or equal to 91 nm and lessthan or equal to 120 nm, or greater than or equal to 151 nm and lessthan or equal to 180 nm.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light reflectivelayer is not particularly limited as long as it is a material capable ofreflecting light, however, light reflectance may be determined dependingon the material, and for example, colors are readily obtained at 50% orgreater of light reflectance. Light reflectance may be measured using anellipsometer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light reflectivelayer may be a metal layer, a metal oxide layer, a metal nitride layer,a metal oxynitride layer or an inorganic material layer. The lightreflective layer may be formed in a single layer, or may also be formedin a multilayer of two or more layers.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light reflectivelayer may be a single layer or a multilayer including one, two or moretypes of materials selected from the group consisting of one, two ormore types of materials selected from among indium (In), titanium (Ti),tin (Sn), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu),nickel (Ni), vanadium (V), tungsten (W), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo),neodymium (Nd), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), gold (Au) andsilver (Ag); oxides thereof; nitrides thereof; oxynitrides thereof;carbon; and carbon composites.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light reflectivelayer may include alloys of two or more selected from among theabove-mentioned materials, or oxides, nitrides or oxynitrides thereof.

In one embodiment of the present specification, it is manufactured usingan ink containing carbon or a carbon composite material, therebyrealizing a high-resistance reflective layer. Carbon black, CNT and thelike may be included as the carbon or carbon composites.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the ink including carbonor carbon composites may include above-described materials, or oxides,nitrides or oxynitrides thereof, and for example, oxides of one, two ormore types selected from among indium (In), titanium (Ti), tin (Sn),silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni),vanadium (V), tungsten (W), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo), neodymium(Nd), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), gold (Au) and silver (Ag)may be included. A curing process may be further performed afterprinting the ink including carbon or carbon composites.

In one embodiment of the present specification, when the lightreflective layer includes two or more types of materials, the two ormore types of materials may be formed using one process, for example, amethod of deposition or printing, however, a method of first forming alayer using one or more types of materials, and then additionallyforming a layer thereon using one or more types of materials may beused. For example, a light reflective layer may be formed by forming alayer through depositing indium or tin, then printing an ink includingcarbon, and then curing the result. The ink may further include an oxidesuch as titanium oxide or silicon oxide.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the thickness of thelight reflective layer may be determined depending on target colors in afinal structure, and for example, may be greater than or equal to 1 nmand less than or equal to 100 nm, greater than or equal to 10 nm andless than or equal to 90 nm, or greater than or equal to 30 nm and lessthan or equal to 90 nm.

(Light Absorbing Layer Structure)

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer may have various shapes by adjusting a deposition condition andthe like when forming the light absorbing layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer includes two or more points with different thicknesses.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer includes two or more regions with different thicknesses.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer may include an inclined surface.

Examples of the structure according to the embodiment are illustrated inFIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate structures in which alight reflective layer (201) and a light absorbing layer (301) arelaminated (substrate not included). According to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, thelight absorbing layer (301) has two or more points with differentthicknesses. According to FIG. 5, thicknesses in A point and B point aredifferent in the light absorbing layer (301). According to FIG. 6,thicknesses in C region and D region are different in the lightabsorbing layer (301).

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer includes one or more regions in which an upper surface has aninclined surface with an inclined angle of greater than 0 degrees andless than or equal to 90 degrees, and the light absorbing layer includesone or more regions having a thickness different from a thickness in theany one region having an inclined surface. As for the inclined surface,an angle formed by any one straight line included in an upper surface ofthe light absorbing layer and a straight line parallel to the lightreflective layer may be defined as the inclined surface. For example, aninclined angle of an upper surface of the light absorbing layer of FIG.5 may be approximately 20 degrees.

Surface properties such as an upper surface slope of the lightreflective layer may be the same as an upper surface of the lightabsorbing layer. For example, by using a deposition method when formingthe light absorbing layer, the upper surface of the light absorbinglayer may have the same slope as the upper surface of the lightreflective layer. However, the upper surface slope of the lightabsorbing layer of FIG. 5 is different from the upper surface slope ofthe light reflective layer.

FIG. 7 illustrates a structure of a decorative member having a lightabsorbing layer in which an upper surface has an inclined surface. Thestructure is a structure laminating a substrate (101), a lightreflective layer (201) and a light absorbing layer (301), and thicknesst1 in E region and thickness t2 in F region are different in the lightabsorbing layer (301). Reference numeral 401 may be a color film.

FIG. 7 relates to a light absorbing layer having inclined surfacesfacing each other, that is, having a structure with a trianglecross-section. In the structure of a pattern having inclined surfacesfacing each other as in FIG. 7, a thickness of the light absorbing layermay be different in two surfaces having the triangle structure even whenprogressing deposition under the same condition. Accordingly, a lightabsorbing layer having two or more regions with different thicknessesmay be formed using just one process. As a result, developed colors maybecome different depending on the thickness of the light absorbinglayer. Herein, the thickness of the light reflective layer does notaffect changes in the color when it is a certain thickness or greater.

FIG. 7 illustrates a structure in which a substrate (101) is provided ona light reflective layer (201) side, however, the structure is notlimited thereto, and as described above, the substrate (101) may also bedisposed on other locations.

In addition, in FIG. 7, the surface adjoining the light reflective layer(201) of the substrate (101) is a flat surface, however, the surfaceadjoining the light reflective layer (201) of the substrate (101) mayhave a pattern having the same slope as an upper surface of the lightreflective layer (201). This is illustrated in FIG. 8. This may cause adifference in the thickness of the light absorbing layer as well due toa difference in the slope of the pattern of the substrate. However, thepresent disclosure is not limited thereto, and even when the substrateand the light absorbing layer are prepared to have different slopesusing different deposition methods, the dichroism described above may beobtained by having the thickness of the light absorbing layer beingdifferent on both sides of the pattern.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer includes one or more regions with a gradually changing thickness.FIG. 9 illustrates a structure in which a thickness of the lightabsorbing layer (301) gradually changes.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer includes one or more regions in which an upper surface has aninclined surface with an inclined angle of greater than 0 degrees andless than or equal to 90 degrees, and at least one or more of theregions having an inclined surface have a structure in which a thicknessof the light absorbing layer gradually changes. FIG. 9 illustrates astructure of a light absorbing layer including a region in which anupper surface has an inclined surface. In FIG. 9, both G region and Hregion have a structure in which an upper surface of the light absorbinglayer has an inclined surface, and a thickness of the light absorbinglayer gradually changes.

In the present specification, the structure in which a thickness of thelight absorbing layer changes means that a cross-section in a thicknessdirection of the light absorbing layer includes a point at which thelight absorbing layer has a smallest thickness and a point at which thelight absorbing layer has a largest thickness, and the thickness of thelight absorbing layer increases along the direction of the point atwhich the light absorbing layer has a smallest thickness with respect tothe point at which the light absorbing layer has a largest thickness.Herein, the point at which the light absorbing layer has a smallestthickness and the point at which the light absorbing layer has a largestthickness may mean any point on the interface of the light absorbinglayer with the light reflective layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light absorbinglayer includes a first region having a first inclined surface with aninclined angle in a range of 1 degree to 90 degrees, and may furtherinclude two or more regions in which an upper surface has an inclinedsurface with a different slope direction or a different inclined anglefrom the first inclined surface, or an upper surface is horizontal.Herein, thicknesses in the first region and the two or more regions mayall be different from each other in the light absorbing layer.

(Substrate)

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative memberincludes a substrate provided on one surface of the color developinglayer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative memberincludes a substrate (101) provided on any one or more of a surfacefacing the light absorbing layer (301) of the light reflective layer(201); or a surface facing the light reflective layer of the lightabsorbing layer. For example, the substrate may be provided on a surfaceopposite to the surface facing the light absorbing layer of the lightreflective layer (FIG. 10a ); or a surface opposite to the surfacefacing the light reflective layer of the light absorbing layer (FIG. 10b).

In one embodiment of the present specification, the substrate mayinclude a plastic injection mold or a glass substrate for a cosmeticcontainer. More specifically, the plastic injection mold may include oneor more types of polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl acetate(PVAc), polyacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (EVA), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide and astyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), but is not limited thereto.

In addition, the plastic injection mold may be a plate-type plasticinjection mold without curves (specific pattern), or may be a plasticinjection mold having curves (specific pattern).

The plastic injection mold may be prepared using a plastic moldingmethod. The plastic molding method includes compression molding,injection molding, air blow molding, thermoforming, hot melt molding,foaming molding, roll molding, reinforced plastic molding and the like.The compression molding is a molding method of placing a material into amold, heating the result, and applying a pressure thereto, and, as theoldest molding method, this may be mainly used in molding thermo-curableresins such as phenol resins. The injection molding is a molding methodof pushing out a plastic melt using a transporting device, and filling amold therewith through a nozzle, and this method may mold boththermoplastic resins and thermo-curable resins, and is a molding methodused the most. The resin used as a cosmetic case is SAN. The air blowmolding is a method of molding a product while placing a plastic parisonin the center of a mold and injecting air thereto, and, as a moldingmethod of making plastic bottles or small containers, the speed ofmanufacturing a product is very fast.

In one embodiment of the present specification, glass havingtransmittance of 80% or greater may be used as the glass substrate.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the substrate thicknessmay be selected as needed, and for example, may have a range of 50 μm to200 μm.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative membermay be prepared using a step of forming a light reflective layer on thesubstrate and forming a light absorbing layer provided on the lightreflective layer. More specifically, in the decorative member, the lightabsorbing layer and the light reflective layer may be consecutivelyformed on the substrate using a deposition process or the like, or thelight reflective layer and the light absorbing layer may beconsecutively formed on the substrate using a deposition process or thelike, however, the method is not limited thereto.

(Color Film)

In one embodiment of the present specification, the color developinglayer further includes a color film.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative memberfurther includes a color film on a surface opposite to the surfacefacing the light reflective layer of the light absorbing layer; betweenthe light absorbing layer and the light reflective layer; or on asurface opposite to the surface facing the light absorbing layer of thelight reflective layer. The color film may also perform a role of asubstrate. For example, those that may be used as a substrate may beused as a color film by adding a dye or a pigment thereto.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the color film is notparticularly limited as long as it has a color difference ΔE*ab, adistance in space of L*a*b* in a color coordinate CIE L*a*b* of thecolor developing layer, of greater than 1 when the color film is presentcompared to when the color film is not provided.

Colors may be expressed by CIE L*a*b*, and a color difference may bedefined using a distance (ΔE*ab) in L*a*b* space. Specifically, thecolor difference is ΔE=√{square root over (ΔL*²+Δa*²+Δb*²)}, and withina range of 0<ΔE*ab<1, an observer may not recognize the color difference[reference document: Machine Graphics and Vision 20(4):383-411].Accordingly, a color difference obtained by the color film addition maybe defined by ΔE*ab>1 in the present specification.

FIGS. 11a-11c illustrate a color developing layer including a colorfilm. FIG. 11a illustrates a structure in which a light reflective layer(201), a light absorbing layer (301) and a color film (401) areconsecutively laminated. FIG. 11b illustrates a structure in which alight reflective layer (201), a color film (401) and a light absorbinglayer (301) are consecutively laminated. FIG. 11c illustrates astructure in which a color film (401), a light reflective layer (201)and a light absorbing layer (301) are consecutively laminated.

In one embodiment of the present specification, when the substrate isprovided on a surface opposite to the surface facing the light absorbinglayer of the light reflective layer, and the color film is located on asurface opposite to the surface facing the light absorbing layer of thelight reflective layer, the color film may be provided between thesubstrate and the light reflective layer; or on a surface opposite tothe surface facing the light reflective layer of the substrate. Asanother example, when the substrate is provided on a surface opposite tothe surface facing the light reflective layer of the light absorbinglayer, and the color film is located on a surface opposite to thesurface facing the light reflective layer of the light absorbing layer,the color film may be provided between the substrate and the lightabsorbing layer; or on a surface opposite to the surface facing thelight absorbing layer of the substrate.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the substrate isprovided on a surface opposite to the surface facing the light absorbinglayer of the light reflective layer, and the color film is furtherprovided. FIG. 12a illustrates a structure in which the color film (401)is provided on a surface opposite to the light reflective layer (201)side of the light absorbing layer (301). FIG. 12b illustrates astructure in which the color film (401) is provided between the lightabsorbing layer (301) and the light reflective layer (201). FIG. 12cillustrates a structure in which the color film (401) is providedbetween the light reflective layer (201) and the substrate (101). FIG.12d illustrates a structure in which the color film (401) is provided ona surface opposite to the light reflective layer (201) side of thesubstrate (101). FIG. 12e illustrates a structure in which the colorfilms (401 a, 401 b, 401 c, 401 d) are provided on a surface opposite tothe light reflective layer (201) side of the light absorbing layer(301), between the light absorbing layer (301) and the light reflectivelayer (201), between the light reflective layer (201) and the substrate(101), and on a surface opposite to the light reflective layer (201)side of the substrate (101), respectively, however, the structure is notlimited thereto, and 1 to 3 of the color films (401 a, 401 b, 401 c, 401d) may not be included.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the substrate isprovided on a surface opposite to the surface facing the lightreflective layer of the light absorbing layer, and the color film isfurther provided. FIG. 13a illustrates a structure in which the colorfilm (401) is provided on a surface opposite to the light absorbinglayer (301) side of the substrate (101). FIG. 13b illustrates astructure in which the color film (401) is provided between thesubstrate (101) and the light absorbing layer (301). FIG. 13cillustrates a structure in which the color film (401) is providedbetween the light absorbing layer (301) and the light reflective layer(201) FIG. 13d illustrates a structure in which the color film (401) isprovided on a surface opposite to the light absorbing layer (301) sideof the light reflective layer (201). FIG. 13e illustrates a structure inwhich the color films (401 a, 401 b, 401 c, 401 d) are provided on asurface opposite to the light absorbing layer (201) side of thesubstrate (101), between the substrate (101) and the light absorbinglayer (301), between the light absorbing layer (301) and the lightreflective layer (201), and on a surface opposite to the light absorbinglayer (201) side of the light reflective layer (201), respectively.However, the structure is not limited thereto, and 1 to 3 of the colorfilms (401 a, 401 b, 401 c, 401 d) may not be included.

In the structures such as FIG. 12b and FIG. 13c , the light reflectivelayer may reflect light entering through the color film when the colorfilm has visible light transmittance of greater than 0%, and therefore,colors may be obtained by laminating the light absorbing layer and thelight reflective layer.

In the structures such as FIG. 12c , FIG. 12d and FIG. 13d , lighttransmittance of the colors developed from the color film of the lightreflective layer (201) may be 1% or greater, preferably 3% or greaterand more preferably 5% or greater so that changes in the colordifference obtained by the color film addition is recognized. This isdue to the fact that light transmitted in such a visible lighttransmittance range may be mixed with colors obtained by the color film.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the color film may beprovided as one sheet, or as a laminate of 2 sheets or more that are thesame or different types.

As the color film, those capable of developing target colors by beingcombined with colors developed from the laminated structure of the lightreflective layer and the light absorbing layer described above may beused. For example, color films expressing colors by dispersing one, twoor more types of pigments and dyes into a matrix resin may be used. Sucha color film may be formed by directly coating a composition for forminga color film on a color film-providable location, or a method ofpreparing a color film by coating a composition for forming a color filmon a separate substrate or using a known molding method such as castingor extrusion, and then disposing or attaching the color film on a colorfilm-providable location may be used. As the coating method, wet coatingor dry coating may be used.

The pigment and the dye capable of being included in the color film maybe selected from among those known in the art and capable of obtainingtarget colors from a final decorative member, and one, two or more typesamong pigments and dyes of red-based, yellow-based, purple-based,blue-based, pink-based and the like may be used. Specifically, dyes suchas perinone-based red dyes, anthraquinone-based red dyes, methane-basedyellow dyes, anthraquinone-based yellow dyes, anthraquinone-based purpledyes, phthalocyanine-based blue dyes, thioindigo-based pink dyes orisoxindigo-based pink dyes may be used either alone or as a combination.Pigments such as carbon black, copper phthalocyanine (C.I. Pigment Blue15:3), C.I. Pigment Red 112, Pigment blue or isoindoline yellow may beused either alone or as a combination. As such dyes or pigments, thosecommercially available may be used, and for example, materialsmanufactured by Ciba ORACET or Chokwang Paint Ltd. may be used. Types ofthe dyes or pigments and colors thereof are for illustrative purposesonly, and various known dyes or pigments may be used, and more diversecolors may be obtained therefrom.

As the matrix resin included in the color film, materials known asmaterials of transparent films, primer layers, adhesive layers orcoating layers may be used, and the matrix resin is not particularlylimited to these materials. For example, various materials such asacryl-based resins, polyethylene terephthalate-based resins,urethane-based resins, linear olefin-based resins, cycloolefin-basedresins, epoxy-based resins or triacetylcellulose-based resins may beselected, and copolymers or mixtures of the materials illustrated abovemay also be used.

When the color film is disposed closer to the location observing thedecorative member than the light reflective layer or the light absorbinglayer as in, for example, the structures of FIGS. 12a and b , and FIG.13), 13 b and 13 c, light transmittance of the colors developed by thecolor film from the light reflective layer, the light absorbing layer orthe laminated structure of the light reflective layer and the lightabsorbing layer may be 1% or greater, preferably 3% or greater and morepreferably 5% or greater. As a result, target colors may be obtained bycombining colors developed from the color film and colors developed fromthe light reflective layer, the light absorbing layer or the laminatedstructure thereof.

The thickness of the color film is not particularly limited, and thoseskilled in the art may select and set the thickness as long as it iscapable of obtaining target colors. For example, the color film may havea thickness of 500 nm to 1 mm.

(Pattern Layer)

In one embodiment of the present specification, the color developinglayer or the substrate may include a pattern layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the substrate includes apattern layer, and the pattern layer is provided adjacent to the colordeveloping layer.

In the present specification, the pattern layer being provided adjacentto the color developing layer may mean the pattern layer being in directcontact with the color developing layer. For example, the pattern layermay be in direct contact with the light reflective layer of the colordeveloping layer, or the pattern layer may be in direct contact with thelight absorbing layer of the color developing layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes a convex portion or concave portion shape having anasymmetric-structured cross-section.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes a convex portion shape having an asymmetric-structuredcross-section.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes a concave portion shape having an asymmetric-structuredcross-section.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes a convex portion shape having an asymmetric-structuredcross-section and a concave portion shape having anasymmetric-structured cross-section.

In the present specification, the “cross-section” means a surface whencutting the convex portion or the concave portion in any one direction.For example, the cross-section may mean, when placing the decorativemember on the ground, a surface when cutting the convex portion or theconcave portion in a direction parallel to the ground or a directionperpendicular to the ground. In the surface of the convex portion orconcave portion shape of the pattern layer of the decorative memberaccording to the embodiment, at least one of the cross-sections in adirection perpendicular to the ground has an asymmetric structure.

In the present specification, the “asymmetric-structured cross-section”means a structure in which a figure formed with borders of thecross-section does not have line symmetry or point symmetry. Linesymmetry refers to having a property of overlapping when mirroring acertain figure centering on a straight line. Point symmetry refers to,when a certain figure rotates 180 degrees based on one point, having asymmetrical property completely overlapping the original figure. Herein,the borders of the asymmetric-structured cross-section may be a straightline, a curved line or a combination thereof.

In the present specification, the “convex portion shape” may include oneor more “convex portion unit shapes”, and the “concave portion shape”may include one or more “concave portion unit shapes”. The convexportion unit shape or the concave portion unit shape means a shapeincluding two inclined sides (first inclined side and second inclinedside), and is not a shape including three or more inclined sides. Whenreferring to FIG. 21, the convex portion shape (P1) of circle C1 is oneconvex portion unit shape including a first inclined side and a secondinclined side. However, the convex portion shape included in circle C2includes two convex portion unit shapes. The first inclined side mayeach be defined as a left inclined side of the convex portion shape orthe concave portion shape, and the second inclined side may each mean aright inclined side of the convex portion shape or the concave portionshape.

As described above, the decorative member may develop dichroism by theconvex portion or the concave portion having an asymmetric-structuredcross-section included in the surface of the pattern layer. Dichroismmeans different colors being observed depending on a viewing angle.Colors may be expressed by CIE L*a*b*, and a color difference may bedefined using a distance (ΔE*ab) in the L*a*b* space. Specifically, thecolor difference is ΔE=√{square root over (ΔL*²+Δa*²+Δb*²)}, and withina range of 0<ΔE*ab<1, an observer may not recognize the color difference[reference document: Machine Graphics and Vision 20(4):383-411].Accordingly, dichroism may be defined by ΔE*ab>1 in the presentspecification.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the color developinglayer has dichroism of ΔE*ab>1. Specifically, a color difference ΔE*ab,a distance in L*a*b* space in a color coordinate CIE L*a*b* of the colordeveloping layer, may be greater than 1.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative memberhas dichroism of ΔE*ab>1. Specifically, a color difference ΔE*ab, adistance in L*a*b* space in a color coordinate CIE L*a*b* of the wholedecorative member, may be greater than 1.

FIG. 14 illustrates a decorative member including the pattern layeraccording to one embodiment of the present specification (substrate andprotective layer not shown). The pattern layer surface may have a shapein which a second convex portion (P2) having a smaller height comparedto the convex portion is disposed between the convex portions (P1).Hereinafter, the convex portion stated prior to the second convexportion may be referred to as a first convex portion.

FIG. 15 illustrates a decorative member including the pattern layeraccording to one embodiment of the present specification (colordeveloping layer not shown). The pattern layer surface may have a shapefurther including a concave portion (P3) having a smaller heightcompared to the convex portion on a tip portion (pointed part) of theconvex portion (P1). Such a decorative member may exhibit an effect ofan image color softly changing depending on a viewing angle.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes a convex portion or concave portion shape, and each of theshapes may be arranged in an inversed phase structure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a decorative member including the pattern layeraccording to one embodiment of the present specification. As illustratedin FIG. 16a , the pattern layer surface may have a shape of a pluralityof convex portions being arranged in an inversed phase structure of 180degrees. Specifically, the pattern layer surface may include a firstregion (C1) in which the second inclined surface has a larger inclinedangle compared to the first inclined surface, and a second region (C2)in which the second inclined surface has a larger inclined anglecompared to the first inclined surface. In one example, the convexportion included in the first region may be referred to as a firstconvex portion (P1), and the convex portion included in the secondregion may be referred to as a fourth convex portion (P4). As forheights, widths, inclined angles and an angle formed by the first andthe second inclined surfaces of the first convex portion (P1) and thefourth convex portion (P4), descriptions provided in the convex portion(P1) may be used in the same manner. As illustrated in FIG. 16b , it maybe constituted such that any one region of the first region and thesecond region corresponds to an image or a logo, and the other regioncorresponds to a background part. Such a decorative member may exhibitan effect of an image or logo color softly changing depending on aviewing angle. In addition, a decorative effect of colors of an image orlogo part and a background part looking switched depending on a viewingdirection.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the first region and thesecond region may each include a plurality of convex portions. Widths ofthe first region and the second region and the number of convex portionsmay be properly controlled depending on the size of a target image orlogo.

In the present specification, and as illustrated, for example, in FIG.14, inclined angles (a2, a3) of the convex portion (P1) may mean anglesformed between inclined surfaces (S1, S2) of the convex portion (P1) anda horizontal surface of the pattern layer. Unless particularly mentionedotherwise in the present specification, the first inclined surface maybe defined as a left inclined surface of the convex portion, and thesecond inclined surface may mean a right inclined surface of the convexportion in the drawings.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the convex portion (P1)of the pattern layer has a polygonal cross-section, and may have acolumn shape extending in one direction. In one embodiment, thecross-section of the convex portion (P1) may be a triangle or a shapefurther including a small concave portion on a tip portion (pointed partor vertex part) of the triangle.

In one embodiment of the present specification, an angle (a1) formed bythe first inclined surface (S1) and the second inclined surface (S2) maybe in a range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees. Specifically, the angle (a1)may be 80 degrees or greater, 83 degrees or greater, 86 degrees orgreater or 89 degrees or greater, and may be 100 degrees or less, 97degrees or less, 94 degrees or less or 91 degrees or less. The angle maymean an angle of a vertex formed by the first inclined surface and thesecond inclined surface. When the first inclined surface and the secondinclined surface do not form a vertex with each other, the angle maymean an angle of a vertex in a state forming a vertex by virtuallyextending the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a difference between aninclined angle of the first inclined surface (a2) and an inclined angleof the second inclined surface (a3) of the convex portion (P1) may be ina range of 30 degrees to 70 degrees. A difference between the inclinedangle of the first inclined surface (a2) and the inclined angle of thesecond inclined surface (a3) may be, for example, 30 degrees or greater,35 degrees or greater, 40 degrees or greater or 45 degrees or greater,and may be 70 degrees or less, 65 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less or55 degrees or less. Having an inclined angle difference between thefirst inclined surface and the second inclined surface in theabove-mentioned range may be advantageous in terms of obtainingdirection-dependent color expression. In other words, dichroism moresignificantly appears.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the convex portion (P1)may have a height (H1) of 5 μm to 30 μm. Having the convex portionheight in the above-mentioned range may be advantageous in a productionprocess aspect. In the present specification, the convex portion heightmay mean a shortest distance between a highest part and a lowest part ofthe convex portion based on the horizontal surface of the pattern layer.As for the descriptions relating to the height of the convex portion,the same numerical range may also be used in the depth of the concaveportion described above.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the convex portion (P1)may have a width (W1) 10 μm to 90 μm. Having the convex portion width inthe above-mentioned range may be advantages in a process aspect inprocessing and forming a pattern. The width of the convex portion (P1)may be, for example, 10 μm or greater, 15 μm or greater, 20 μm orgreater or 25 μm or greater, and may be 90 μm or less, 80 μm or less, 70μm or less, 60 μm or less, 50 μm or less, 40 μm or less or μm or less.The descriptions relating to the width may be used in the concaveportion described above as well as the convex portion.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a distance between theconvex portions (P1) may be from 0 μm to μm. The distance between theconvex portions in the present specification may mean, in two adjacentconvex portions, a shortest distance between a point where one convexportion ends and a point where another convex portion starts. Whenproperly maintaining the distance between the convex portions, aphenomenon of a reflection area looking dark due to shading when arelatively bright color is to be obtained when looking at the decorativemember from an inclined surface side of the convex portion having alarger inclined angle may be improved. Between the convex portions, asecond convex portion with a smaller height compared to the convexportion may be present as to be described later. The descriptionsrelating to the distance may be used in the concave portion describedabove as well as the convex portion.

In one embodiment of the present specification, as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 14, height (H2) of the second convex portion (P2) maybe in a range of ⅕ to ¼ of the height (H1) of the first convex portion(P1). For example, a height difference (H1−H2) between the first convexportion and the second convex portion may be from 10 μm to 30 μm. Awidth (W2) of the second convex portion may be from 1 μm to 10 μm.Specifically, the width (W2) of the second convex portion may be 1 μm orgreater, 2 μm or greater, 3 μm or greater, 4 μm or greater or 4.5 μm orgreater, and may be 10 μm or less, 9 μm or less, 8 μm or less, 7 μm orless, 6 μm or less or 5.5 μm or less.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the second convexportion may have two inclined surfaces (S3, S4) having differentinclined angles. An angle (a4) formed by the two inclined surfaces ofthe second convex portion may be from degrees to 100 degrees.Specifically, the angle (a4) may be degrees or greater, 30 degrees orgreater, 40 degrees or greater, 50 degrees or greater, 60 degrees orgreater, 70 degrees or greater, 80 degrees or greater or 85 degrees orgreater, and may be 100 degrees or less or 95 degrees or less. Aninclined angle difference (a6−a5) between both inclined surfaces of thesecond convex portion may be from 0 degrees to 60 degrees. The inclinedangle difference (a6−a5) may be 0 degrees or greater, 10 degrees orgreater, 20 degrees or greater, 30 degrees or greater, 40 degrees orgreater or 45 degrees or greater, and may be 60 degrees or less or 55degrees or less. The second convex portion having a dimension in theabove-mentioned range may be advantageous in terms of forming brightcolor by increasing light inflow from a side surface having a largeinclined surface angle.

In one embodiment of the present specification, as illustrated, forexample, in FIG. 15, a height (H3) of the concave portion (P3) may befrom 3 μm to 15 μm. Specifically, a height (H3) of the concave portion(P3) may be 3 μm or greater, and may be 15 μm or less, 10 μm or less or5 μm or less. The concave portion may have two inclined surfaces (S5,S6) having different inclined angles. An angle (a7) formed by the twoinclined surfaces of the concave portion may be from 20 degrees to 100degrees. Specifically, the angle (a7) may be 20 degrees or greater, 30degrees or greater, 40 degrees or greater, 50 degrees or greater, 60degrees or greater, 70 degrees or greater, 80 degrees or greater or 85degrees or greater, and may be 100 degrees or less or 95 degrees orless. An inclined angle difference (a9−a8) between both inclinedsurfaces of the concave portion may be from 0 degrees to 60 degrees. Theinclined angle difference (a9−a8) may be 0 degrees or greater, 10degrees or greater, 20 degrees or greater, 30 degrees or greater, 40degrees or greater or 45 degrees or greater, and may be 60 degrees orless or 55 degrees or less. The concave portion having a dimension inthe above-mentioned range may be advantageous in terms of adding a colorsense on the inclined surface.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes a convex portion shape, the cross-section of the convex portionshape includes a first inclined side and a second inclined side, andshapes of the first inclined side and the second inclined side are thesame as or different from each other, and are each a straight-line shapeor a curved-line shape.

FIG. 17 illustrates a decorative member including the pattern layeraccording to one embodiment of the present specification. Thecross-section of the pattern layer has a convex portion shape, and thecross-section of the convex portion shape includes a first region (D1)including a first inclined side and a second region (D2) including asecond inclined side. The first inclined side and the second inclinedside have a straight-line shape. An angle (c3) formed by the firstinclined side and the second inclined side may be from 75 degrees to 105degrees, or from 80 degrees to 100 degrees. An angle (c1) formed by thefirst inclined side and the ground and an angle (c2) formed by thesecond inclined side and the ground are different. For example, acombination of c1 and c2 may be degrees/80 degrees, 10 degrees/70degrees or 30 degrees/70 degrees.

FIGS. 18a and 18b illustrates decorative members including patternlayers according to embodiments of the present specification. Thecross-section of the pattern layer includes a convex portion shape, andthe cross-section of the convex portion shape includes a first region(E1) including a first inclined side and a second region (E2) includinga second inclined side. Any one or more of the first inclined side andthe second inclined side may have a curved-line shape. For example, thefirst inclined side and the second inclined side may both have acurved-line shape, or the first inclined side may have a straight-lineshape, and the second inclined side may have a curved-line shape. Whenthe first inclined side has a straight-line shape and the secondinclined side has a curved-line shape, the angle c1 may be larger thanthe angle c2. FIGS. 18a and 18b illustrate cases when the first inclinedside has a straight-line shape and the second inclined side has acurved-line shape. An angle formed by the inclined side having acurved-line shape with the ground may be calculated from, when drawingan arbitrary straight line from a point where the inclined side touchingthe ground to a point where the first inclined side and the secondinclined side adjoin, an angle formed by the straight line and theground. The curved-line-shaped second inclined side may have a differentcurvature depending on the pattern layer height, and the curved line mayhave a radius of curvature. The radius of curvature may be 10 times orless than the width (E1+E2) of the convex portion shape. FIG. 18a showsa radius of curvature of the curved line being twice the width of theconvex portion shape, and FIG. 18b shows a radius of curvature of thecurved line being the same as the width of the convex portion shape. Aratio of the part (E2) having a curvature with respect to the width(E1+E2) of the convex portion may be 90% or less. FIGS. 18a and 18billustrate a ratio of the part (E2) having a curvature with respect tothe width (E1+E2) of the convex portion being 60%.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the cross-section of theconvex portion shape may have a polygonal shape of triangle orquadrangle.

FIG. 19 illustrates a decorative member including the pattern layeraccording to one embodiment of the present specification. Thecross-section of the pattern layer has a convex portion shape, and thecross-section of the convex portion shape may have a quadrangle shape.The quadrangle shape may be a general quadrangle shape, and is notparticularly limited as long as an inclined angle of each inclined sideis different. The quadrangle shape may be a shape left after partiallycutting a triangle. For example, a trapezoid that is a quadrangle inwhich one pair of opposite sides is parallel, or a quadrangle shape inwhich a pair of opposite sides parallel to each other is not present maybe included. The cross-section of the convex portion shape includes afirst region (F1) including a first inclined side, a second region (F2)including a second inclined side and a third region (F3) including athird inclined side. The third inclined side may or may not be parallelto the ground. For example, when the quadrangle shape is a trapezoid,the third inclined side is parallel to the ground. Any one or more ofthe first inclined side to the third inclined side may have acurved-line shape, and descriptions on the curved-line shape are thesame as described above. The combined length of F1+F2+F3 may be definedas a width of the convex portion shape, and descriptions on the widthare the same as the descriptions provided above.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes two or more convex portion shapes, and a flat portion may befurther included in a part or all of between each convex portion shape.

FIGS. 20a and 20b illustrate decorative members including pattern layersaccording to other embodiments of the present specification. A flatportion may be included between each convex portion of the patternlayer. The flat portion means a region in which the convex portion isnot present. Other than the pattern layer further including a flatportion, descriptions on the remaining constituents (D1, D2, c1, c2, c3,first inclined side and second inclined side) are the same as thedescriptions provided above. Meanwhile, a combined length of D1+D2+G1 isdefined as a pitch of the pattern, which is different from the width ofthe pattern described above.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the surface of theconvex portion or the concave portion shape includes two or more of theconvex portion or concave portion shapes. By having a surface of two ormore convex portion or concave portion shapes as above, dichroism mayfurther increase. Herein, the two or more convex portion or concaveportion shapes may have a form of repeating identical shapes, however,shapes different from each other may be included.

In one embodiment of the present specification, in the convex portion orconcave portion shape having an asymmetric-structured cross-section, atleast one cross-section includes two or more sides having differentinclined angles, different curvatures, or different side shapes. Forexample, when two sides among the sides forming at least onecross-section have different inclined angles, different curvatures, ordifferent side shapes, the convex portion or the concave portion has anasymmetric structure.

In one embodiment of the present specification, in the shape of theconvex portion or the concave portion, at least one cross-sectionincludes a first inclined side and a second inclined side havingdifferent inclined angles.

In the present specification, unless mentioned otherwise, the “side” maybe a straight line, but is not limited thereto, and a part or allthereof may be a curved line. For example, the side may include astructure of a part of an arc of a circle or oval, a wave structure or azigzag.

In the present specification, when the side includes a part of an arc ofa circle or an oval, the circle or the oval may have a radius ofcurvature. The radius of curvature may be defined by, when converting anextremely short section of a curved line into an arc, the radius of thearc.

In the present specification, unless mentioned otherwise, the “inclinedside” means, when placing the decorative member on the ground, a sidehaving an angle formed by the side with respect to the ground beinggreater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees. Herein,when the side is a straight line, an angle formed by the straight lineand the ground may be measured. When the side includes a curved line, anangle formed by, when placing the decorative member on the ground, theground and a straight line connecting a point closest to the ground ofthe side and a point farthest from the ground of the side in a shortestdistance may be measured.

In the present specification, unless mentioned otherwise, the inclinedangle is an angle formed by, when placing the decorative member on theground, the ground and a surface or a side forming the pattern layer,and is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 90 degrees.Alternatively, it may mean an angle formed by the ground and a linesegment (a′−b′) made when connecting a point (a′) where a surface or aside forming the pattern layer adjoins the ground and a point (b′) wherea surface or a side forming the pattern layer is farthest from theground.

In the present specification, unless mentioned otherwise, the curvaturemeans a degree of changes in the slope of the tangent at continuouspoints of a side or a surface. As the change in the slope of the tangentat continuous points of a side or a surface is larger, the curvature ishigh.

In the present specification, the convex portion may be a convex portionunit shape, and the concave portion may be a concave portion unit shape.The convex portion unit shape or the concave portion unit shape means ashape including two inclined sides (first inclined side and secondinclined side), and is not a shape including three or more inclinedsides.

When referring to FIG. 21, the convex portion (P1) of circle C1 is oneconvex portion unit shape including a first inclined side and a secondinclined side. However, the shape included in circle C2 includes twoconvex portion unit shapes. The first inclined side may be defined as aleft inclined side of the convex portion or the concave portion, and thesecond inclined side may mean a right inclined side of the convexportion or the concave portion.

In one embodiment of the present specification, an angle (a1) formed bythe first inclined side and the second inclined side may be in a rangeof 80 degrees to 100 degrees. Specifically, the angle (a1) may be 80degrees or greater, 83 degrees or greater, 86 degrees or greater or 89degrees or greater, and may be 100 degrees or less, 97 degrees or less,94 degrees or less or 91 degrees or less. The angle may mean an angle ofa vertex formed by the first inclined side and the second inclined side.When the first inclined side and the second inclined side do not form avertex with each other, the angle may mean an angle of a vertex in astate forming a vertex by virtually extending the first inclined sideand the second inclined side.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a difference between aninclined angle of the first inclined side (a2) and an inclined angle ofthe second inclined side (a3) of the convex portion (P1) may be in arange of 30 degrees to 70 degrees. A difference between the inclinedangle of the first inclined side (a2) and the inclined angle of thesecond inclined side (a3) may be, for example, 30 degrees or greater,degrees or greater, 40 degrees or greater or 45 degrees or greater, andmay be 70 degrees or less, 65 degrees or less, 60 degrees or less or 55degrees or less. Having an inclined angle difference between the firstinclined side and the second inclined side in the above-mentioned rangemay be advantageous in terms of obtaining direction-dependent colorexpression.

FIG. 22 illustrates the pattern layer of a decorative member accordingto one embodiment of the present specification, and a method forpreparing the same. The cross-section of the pattern layer has a convexportion shape, and the cross-section of the convex portion shape mayhave a shape removing a specific region of the ABO1 triangle shape. Amethod of determining the removed specific region is as follows. Detailson the inclined angles c1 and c2 are the same as the descriptionsprovided above.

1) An arbitrary point P1 on an AO1 line segment dividing the AO1 linesegment in a ratio of L1:L2 is set.

2) An arbitrary point P2 on a B01 line segment dividing the BO1 linesegment in a ratio of m1:m2 is set.

3) An arbitrary point O2 on an AB line segment dividing the AB linesegment in a ratio of n1:n2 is set.

4) An arbitrary point P3 on an 0102 line segment dividing the O2O1 linesegment in a ratio of o1:o2 is set.

Herein, the ratios of L1:L2, m1:m2, n1:n2 and o1:o2 are the same as ordifferent from each other, and may be each independently from 1:1000 to1000:1.

5) The region formed by the P1O1P2P3 polygon is removed.

6) The shape formed by the ABP2P3P1 polygon is employed as thecross-section of the convex portion.

The pattern layer may be modified to various shapes by adjusting theratios of L1:L2, m1:m2, n1:n2 and o1:o2. For example, the height of thepattern may increase when L1 and m1 increase, and the height of theconcave portion formed on the convex portion may decrease when o1increases, and by adjusting the ratio of n1, the position of a lowestpoint of the concave portion formed on the convex portion may beadjusted to be closer to any one side of the inclined sides of theconvex portion.

FIGS. 23a and 23b illustrate pattern layers prepared using the methodfor preparing a pattern layer of a decorative member according to FIG.22. When the ratios of L1:L2, m1:m2 and o1:o2 are all the same, thecross-section shape may be a trapezoidal shape. The height of thetrapezoid (ha, hb) may vary by adjusting the ratio of L1:L2. Forexample, FIG. 23a illustrates a pattern layer prepared when the L1:L2ratio is 1:1, and FIG. 23(b) illustrates a pattern layer prepared whenthe L1:L2 ratio is 2:1.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the convex portion orconcave portion shape of the pattern layer surface may be a cone-shapedconvex portion protruding out of the surface of the pattern layer or acone-shaped concave portion sunk into the surface of the pattern layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the cone shape includesa shape of a circular cone, an oval cone or a polypyramid. Herein, theshape of the bottom surface of the polypyramid includes a triangle, aquadrangle, a star shape having 5 or more protruding points, and thelike. According to one embodiment, when the pattern layer surface has acone-shaped convex portion shape when placing the decorative member onthe ground, at least one of cross-sections vertical with respect to theground of the convex portion shape may have a triangle shape. Accordingto another embodiment, when the pattern layer surface has a cone-shapedconcave portion shape when placing the decorative member on the ground,at least one of the cross-sections vertical with respect to the groundof the convex portion shape may have an inverted triangle shape.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the cone-shaped convexportion or cone-shaped concave portion shape may have at least oneasymmetric-structured cross-section. For example, when observing thecone-shaped convex portion or concave portion from a surface side of theconvex portion or concave portion shape, having two or less identicalshapes when rotating 360 degrees based on the vertex of the cone isadvantageous in developing dichroism. FIG. 24 shows cone-shaped convexportion shapes observed from the surface side of the convex portionshape, symmetric-structured cone shapes, and asymmetric-structured coneshapes.

When placing the decorative member on the ground, thesymmetric-structured cone shape has a structure in which a cross-sectionin a direction parallel to the ground (hereinafter, referred to as ahorizontal cross-section) is a circle or a regular polygon having thesame side length, and the vertex of the cone is present on the verticalline with respect to the cross-section of the center of gravity of thehorizontal cross-section with respect to the ground. However, the coneshape having an asymmetric-structured cross-section has a structure inwhich, when observing from a surface side of the cone-shaped convexportion or concave portion, the position of the vertex of the cone ispresent on a vertical line of a point that is not the center of gravityof the horizontal cross-section of the cone, or has a structure in whichthe horizontal cross-section of the cone is an asymmetric-structuredpolygon or oval. When the horizontal cross-section of the cone is anasymmetric-structured polygon, at least one of the sides and the anglesof the polygon may be designed to be different from the rest.

For example, as in FIG. 25, the position of the vertex of the cone maybe changed. Specifically, when designing the vertex of the cone to belocated on a vertical line of the center of gravity (01) of thehorizontal cross-section with respect to the ground of the cone whenobserving from a surface side of the cone-shaped convex portion shape asin the first diagram of FIG. 25, 4 identical structures may be obtainedwhen rotating 360 degrees based on the vertex of the cone (4-foldsymmetry). However, the symmetric structure is broken by designing thevertex of the cone on a position (O2) that is not the center of gravity(O1) of the horizontal cross-section with respect to the ground. Whenemploying a length of one side of the horizontal cross-section withrespect to the ground as x, migration distances of the vertex of thecone as a and b, a height of the cone shape, a length of a linevertically connecting from the vertex of the cone (O1 or O2) to thecross-section horizontal with respect to the ground, as h, and an angleformed by the horizontal cross-section and a side surface of the cone asθn, cosine values for Surface 1, Surface 2, Surface 3 and Surface 4 ofFIG. 25 may be obtained as follows.

${{\cos ({\theta 1})} = \frac{\left( \frac{x}{2} \right)}{{sqrt}\left( {h^{2} + \left( \frac{x}{2} \right)^{2}} \right)}}\mspace{14mu}$${{\cos ({\theta 2})} = \frac{\left( \frac{x}{2} \right)}{{sqrt}\left( {h^{2} + \left( \frac{x}{2} \right)^{2}} \right)}}\mspace{14mu}$${\cos ({\theta 3})} = \frac{\left( {\frac{x}{2} - a} \right)}{sqr{t\left( {h^{2} + \left( {\frac{x}{2} - \alpha} \right)^{2}} \right)}}$${\cos ({\theta 4})} = \frac{\left( {\frac{x}{2} - b} \right)}{{sqrt}\left( {h^{2} + \left( {\frac{x}{2} - b} \right)^{2}} \right)}$

Herein, θ1 and θ2 are the same, and therefore, there is no dichroism.However, θ3 and θ4 are different, and |θ3−θ4| means a color difference(ΔE*ab) between two colors, and therefore, dichroism may be obtained.Herein, |θ3−θ4|>0. As above, how much the symmetric structure is broken,that is, a degree of asymmetry, may be represented quantitatively usingan angle formed by the horizontal cross-section with respect to theground and a side surface of the cone, and the value representing such adegree of asymmetry is proportional to a color difference of dichroism.

FIGS. 26a and 26b illustrate surfaces having convex portion shapes inwhich a highest point has a line shape, and FIG. 26a illustrates apattern having a convex portion developing no dichroism and FIG. 26billustrates a pattern having a convex portion developing dichroism. AnX-X′ cross-section of FIG. 26a is an isosceles triangle or anequilateral triangle, and a Y-Y′ cross-section of FIG. 26b is a trianglehaving different side lengths.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layer has asurface of a convex portion shape in which a highest point has a lineshape or a concave portion shape in which a lowest point has a lineshape. The line shape may be a straight-line shape or a curved-lineshape, and may include both a curved line and a straight line, or azigzag shape. This is illustrated in FIG. 27 to FIG. 29. When observingthe surface of the convex portion shape in which a highest point has aline shape or the concave portion shape in which a lowest point has aline shape from a surface side of the convex portion or concave portionshape, having only one identical shape when rotating 360 degrees basedon the center of gravity of the horizontal cross-section with respect tothe ground of the convex portion or the concave portion is advantageousin developing dichroism.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layer has asurface of a convex portion or concave portion shape in which acone-type tip portion is cut. FIG. 30 illustrates images obtained, whenplacing a decorative member on the ground, an inversed trapezoidalconcave portion in which a cross-section perpendicular to the ground isasymmetric. Such an asymmetric cross-section may have a trapezoidal orinversed trapezoidal shape. In this case, dichroism may also bedeveloped by the asymmetric-structured cross-section.

In addition to the structures illustrated above, various surfaces ofconvex portion or concave portion shapes as illustrated in FIG. 31 maybe obtained.

In the present specification, unless mentioned otherwise, the “surface”may be a flat surface, but is not limited thereto, and a part or allthereof may be a curved surface. For example, the shape of across-section in a direction perpendicular to the surface may include astructure of a part of an arc of a circle or oval, a wave structure or azigzag.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layerincludes a symmetric-structured pattern. As the symmetric structure, aprism structure, a lenticular lens structure and the like are included.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative memberincludes a pattern layer including a convex portion or concave portionshape having an asymmetric-structured cross-section on a surface facingthe light reflective layer of the light absorbing layer; between thelight absorbing layer and the light reflective layer; or a surfacefacing the light absorbing layer of the light reflective layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layer has aflat portion on a surface opposite to the convex portion or concaveportion shape-formed surface, and the flat portion may be formed on asubstrate. As the substrate layer, a plastic substrate may be used. Asthe plastic substrate, triacetyl cellulose (TAC); a cycloolefincopolymer (COP) such as a norbornene derivative; poly(methylmethacrylate (PMMA); polycarbonate (PC); polyethylene (PE);polypropylene (PP); polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); diacetyl cellulose (DAC);polyacrylate (Pac); polyether sulfone (PES); polyetheretherketone(PEEK); polyphenyl sulfone (PPS), polyetherimide (PEI); polyethylenenaphthalate (PEN); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyimide (PI);polysulfone (PSF); polyarylate (PAR), an amorphous fluorine resin or thelike may be used, however, the plastic substrate is not limited thereto.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the pattern layer mayinclude a thermo-curable resin or an ultraviolet-curable resin. As thecurable resin, a photo-curable resin or a thermo-curable resin may beused. As the photo-curable resin, an ultraviolet-curable resin may beused. Examples of the thermo-curable resin may include a silicone resin,a silicon resin, a furan resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, anamino resin, a phenol resin, a urea resin, a polyester resin, a melamineresin or the like, but are not limited thereto. As theultraviolet-curable resin, an acrylic polymer, for example, a polyesteracrylate polymer, a polystyrene acrylate polymer, an epoxy acrylatepolymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer or a polybutadiene acrylatepolymer, a silicone acrylate polymer, an alkyl acrylate polymer or thelike may be typically used, however, the ultraviolet-curable resin isnot limited thereto.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a color dye may befurther included inside or at least one surface of the pattern layer.Including a color dye on at least one surface of the pattern layer maymean a case of, for example, including a color dye on theabove-described substrate layer provided on the flat portion side of thepattern layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, as the color dye, ananthraquinone-based dye, a phthalocyanine-based dye, a thioindigo-baseddye, a perinone-based dye, an isoxindigo-based dye, a methane-based dye,a monoazo-based dye, a 1:2 metal complex-based dye and the like may beused.

In one embodiment of the present specification, when including the colordye inside the pattern layer, the dye may be added to the curable resin.When further including the color dye at the bottom of the pattern layer,a method of coating the dye-including layer on the top or the bottom ofthe substrate layer may be used.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the color dye contentmay be, for example, from 0 wt % to 50 wt %. The color dye content maydetermine transmittance and haze ranges of the pattern layer or thedecorative member, and the transmittance may be, for example, from 20%to 90%, and the haze may be, for example, from 1% to 40%.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the color developinglayer may provide metallic texture and depth of colors when looking atthe decorative member. The color developing layer allows an image of thedecorative member to be seen in various colors depending on a viewingangle. This is due to the fact that a wavelength of light passingthrough the pattern layer and reflected on the surface of an inorganicmaterial layer changes depending on a wavelength of incident light.

The color developing layer may have the same convex portion or concaveportion as the surface of the pattern layer described above. The colordeveloping layer may have the same slope as the surface of the patternlayer described above.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative memberincludes a protective layer provided between the substrate and the colordeveloping layer; a surface facing the substrate of the color developinglayer; or a surface facing the color developing layer of the substrate.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the decorative memberincludes a protective layer provided on any one or more of between thesubstrate and the pattern layer, between the pattern layer and the lightreflective layer, between the light reflective layer and the lightabsorbing layer, and on a surface opposite to the surface facing thelight reflective layer of the light absorbing layer. In other words, theprotective layer performs a role of protecting the decorative member bybeing provided between each layer of the decorative member or at anoutermost part of the decorative member.

In the present specification, the “protective layer” means, unlessdefined otherwise, a layer capable of protecting other layers of thedecorative member. For example, deterioration of an inorganic materiallayer under a humidity resistant or heat resistant environment may beprevented.

Alternatively, scratching on an inorganic material layer or a patternlayer by external factors is effectively suppressed enabling thedecorative member to effectively develop dichroism.

In the present specification, the ‘inorganic material layer’ means,unless defined otherwise, a light absorbing layer or a light reflectivelayer.

In the present specification, an example of the decorative memberstructure including the protective layer is as follows.

For example, a structure of substrate/protective layer/patternlayer/light reflective layer/light absorbing layer/protective layer orsubstrate/protective layer/pattern layer/light absorbing layer/lightreflective layer/protective layer may be included.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the protective layerincludes an aluminum oxynitride. By the protective layer including analuminum oxynitride (AlON), functions of the protective layer todescribe later may be enhanced compared to when the protective layerdoes not include an aluminum oxynitride (AlON). In addition, functionsof protection may be further enhanced when adjusting a ratio of eachelement of the aluminum oxynitride.

In one embodiment of the present specification, by further including theprotective layer, the decorative member suppresses damages on thepattern layer and the organic material layer even when being leftunattended under a high temperature and high humidity environment, andtherefore, excellent decorative effects may be maintained even under aharsh environment.

The decorative member of the present specification may be used in knownsubjects requiring the use of a decorative member. For example, they maybe used in portable electronic devices, electronic products, cosmeticcontainers, furniture, construction materials and the like withoutlimit.

A manner of using the decorative member in portable electronic devices,electronic products, cosmetic containers, furniture, constructionmaterials and the like is not particularly limited, and known methodsknown as a method of using a deco film in the art may be used. Thedecorative member may further include an adhesive layer as necessary. Inanother embodiment, the decorative member may be used by being directlycoated on a portable electronic device or an electronic product. In thiscase, a separate adhesive layer for attaching the decorative member tothe portable electronic device or the electronic product may not berequired. In another embodiment, the decorative member may be attachedto a portable electronic device or an electronic product using anadhesive layer as a medium. As the adhesive layer, an optically clearadhesive tape (OCA tape) or an adhesive resin may be used. As the OCAtape or the adhesive resin, OCA tapes or adhesive resins known in theart may be used without limit. As necessary, a peel-off layer (releaseliner) may be further provided for protecting the adhesive layer.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light reflectivelayer and the light absorbing layer may each be formed on a substrate ora pattern of a pattern layer of the substrate using a sputter method, anevaporation method, a vapor deposition method, a chemical vapordeposition (CVD) method, wet coating and the like. Particularly, thesputter method has straightness, and therefore, a difference in thedeposition thicknesses of both inclined surfaces of the convex portionmay be maximized by tilting a position of a target.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the light reflectivelayer and the light absorbing layer may each be formed using a reactivesputtering method. Reactive sputtering is a method in which an ionhaving energy (for example, Ar⁺) gives an impact on a target material,and the target material coming off is deposited on the surface todeposit. Herein, the base pressure may be 1.0×10⁻⁵ torr or less,6.0×10⁻⁶ torr or less, and preferably 3.0×10⁻⁶ torr or less.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the reactive sputteringmethod may be conducted in a chamber including a plasma gas and areactive gas. The plasma gas may be argon (Ar) gas. In addition, thereactive gas required to form the inorganic material layer is oxygen(O₂) and nitrogen (N₂), and is distinguished from the plasma gas as agas for providing oxygen or nitrogen atoms.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the plasma gas may havea flow rate of greater than or equal to 10 sccm and less than or equalto 300 sccm, and preferably greater than or equal to 20 sccm and lessthan or equal to 200 sccm. The sccm means a standard cubic centimeterper minute.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a process pressure (p1)in the chamber may be from 1.0 mtorr to 10.0 mtorr, and preferably from1.5 mtorr to 10.0 mtorr. When the process pressure is higher than theabove-mentioned range during the sputtering, the number of Ar particlespresent in the chamber increases, and particles emitted from the targetcollide with the Ar particles losing energy, which may decrease a growthrate of a thin film. When the process pressure is maintained too low onthe other hand, an energy loss of the copper oxide particles caused bythe Ar particles decreases, however, there is a disadvantage in that thesubstrate may be damaged due to particles having high energy, orqualities of the protective layer may decline.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the reactive gas mayhave a fraction of greater than or equal to 30% and less than or equalto 70%, preferably greater than or equal to 40% and less than or equalto 70%, and more preferably greater than or equal to 50% and less thanor equal to 70% with respect to the plasma gas. The fraction of thereactive gas may be calculated by(Q_(reactive gas)/(Q_(plasma process gas))*100%). The Q_(reactive gas)means a flow rate of the reactive gas in the chamber, andQ_(plasma process gas) may be a flow rate of the plasma process gas inthe chamber. When satisfying the above-mentioned numerical range, theatomic ratio of the copper oxide described above may be adjusted to atarget range.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the reactive sputteringmethod may have driving power of greater than or equal to 100 W and lessthan or equal to 500 W, and preferably greater than or equal to 150 Wand less than or equal to 300 W.

In one embodiment of the present specification, a range of a voltageapplied in the reactive sputtering method may be greater than or equalto 350 V and less than or equal to 500 V. The voltage range may beadjusted depending on the state of the target, the process pressure, thedriving power (process power) or the fraction of the reactive gas.

In one embodiment of the present specification, the reactive sputteringmethod may have a deposition temperature of higher than or equal to 20°C. and lower than or equal to 300° C. When depositing at a temperaturelower than the above-mentioned range, there is a problem in thatparticles coming off from the target and reaching the substrate haveinsufficient energy required for crystal growth decreasing crystallinityof thin film growth, and at a temperature higher than theabove-mentioned range, particles coming off from the target evaporate orre-evaporate causing a problem of reducing a thin film growth rate.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, the present application will be specifically described withreference to examples, however, the scope of the present specificationis not limited by the following examples.

Example and Comparative Example Comparative Example 1

A prism-shaped pattern layer having each inclined angle of 20 degrees/70degrees was formed by coating an ultraviolet-curable resin on a PETsubstrate. After that, a color developing layer including a lightabsorbing layer and a light reflective layer was formed on the patternlayer using a reactive sputtering method.

Specifically, a reactive sputtering method was used, and a copper targetwas used. An argon gas flow rate was adjusted to 35 sccm and an oxygengas flow rate was adjusted to 15 sccm, and a process pressure wasmaintained at 9 mtorr and power was maintained at 200 W. Through this, a10 nm light absorbing layer having a composition of the following Table2 was formed. After that, In having a thickness of 70 nm was depositedon the light absorbing layer using a sputtering method to form a lightreflective layer, and a final decorative member was prepared.

Comparative Example 2

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 20 nm.

Comparative Example 3

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 30 nm.

Example 1

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 40 nm.

Example 2

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 50 nm.

Example 3

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 60 nm.

Comparative Example 4

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 70 nm.

Comparative Example 5

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 80 nm.

Comparative Example 6

A decorative member was prepared in the same manner as in ComparativeExample 1 except that the light absorbing layer thickness was adjustedto 90 nm.

TABLE 2 Light Absorbing Thickness Component Ratio at Each LayerParameter Location (Cu_(a)O_(x)) ω Thickness T_(x) σ_(x) a x Value (T₁)(Equation 2) (Equation 3) (*10⁻²) (*10⁻²) (Equation 1) Comparative 10 nm0.167 1 0.5 0.5 0.167 Example 1 Comparative 20 nm 0.33 1 0.5 0.5 0.33Example 2 Comparative 30 nm 0.5 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 Example 3 Example 1 40 nm0.67 1 0.5 0.5 0.67 Example 2 50 nm 0.83 1 0.5 0.5 0.83 Example 3 60 nm1 1 0.5 0.5 1 Comparative 70 nm 0.167 1 0.5 0.5 0.167 Example 4Comparative 80 nm 0.33 1 0.5 0.5 0.33 Example 5 Comparative 90 nm 0.5 10.5 0.5 0.5 Example 6

Evaluation Example (Evaluation of Color)

Component ratios of the decorative members prepared in the examples andthe comparative examples were analyzed, and a color appearing by eachthickness was observed, and is recorded in the following Table 3.

TABLE 3 Lch Coordinate L* c* h* Color Comparative Example 1 74 36 59Warm tone Comparative Example 2 50 56 44 Comparative Example 3 27 53 334Example 1 38 28 269 Cool tone Example 2 54 17 234 Example 3 64 9 201Comparative Example 4 59 2.6 102 Warm tone Comparative Example 5 61 779.57 Comparative Example 6 61 10.5 70.2

In the decorative members of the examples, cool colors appeared,however, warm colors appeared in the decorative members of thecomparative examples. This is shown in FIG. 34.

When comparing the examples and the comparative examples, it wasidentified that, even when the light absorbing layer had the samecomposition, warm colors or cool colors appeared when changing thethickness.

1. A decorative member comprising: a color developing layer including alight reflective layer and a light absorbing layer provided on the lightreflective layer; and a substrate provided on one surface of the colordeveloping layer, wherein the light absorbing layer includes a copperoxide (Cu_(a)O_(x)); and ω of the light absorbing layer, represented bythe following Equation 1 is greater than or equal to 0.61 and less thanor equal to 1.2 when conducting a component analysis on any one point ofthe light absorbing layer: $\begin{matrix}{\omega = {\left( T_{x} \right) \times \left( \sigma_{x} \right)}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \right\rbrack \\{{{f\left( T_{1} \right)} = {\frac{T_{1}}{T_{0}}\left( {0 < T_{1} \leq T_{0}} \right)}}{{f\left( T_{1} \right)} = {f\left( {T_{1} + {n \times T_{0}}} \right)}}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \right\rbrack \\{\sigma_{x} = \frac{x}{a}} & \left\lbrack {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}$ in Equation 1, T_(x) is a T₁-dependent function value of afunction represented by f(T₁), n is a positive integer of 1 or greater,and σ_(x) is represented by Equation 3; in Equation 2, T₁ is a thicknessof the light absorbing layer including the any one point of the lightabsorbing layer on which the component analysis is conducted, and T₀ is60 nm; and in Equation 3, a means an element content ratio of copper(Cu), and x means an element content ratio of oxygen (O).
 2. Thedecorative member of claim 1, wherein T_(x) is greater than or equal to0.51 and less than or equal to
 1. 3. The decorative member of claim 1,wherein ax is greater than or equal to 0.1 and less than or equal to 3.4. The decorative member of claim 1, wherein a hue-angle h* in CIE Lchcolor space of the light absorbing layer is in a range of 105° to 315°.5. The decorative member of claim 1, wherein the light reflective layeris a single layer or a multilayer including one, two or more types ofmaterials selected from the group consisting of one, two or more typesof materials selected from among indium (In), titanium (Ti), tin (Sn),silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni),vanadium (V), tungsten (W), tantalum (Ta), molybdenum (Mo), neodymium(Nd), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), gold (Au) and silver (Ag);oxides thereof; nitrides thereof; oxynitrides thereof; carbon and carboncomposites.
 6. The decorative member of claim 1, wherein the lightabsorbing layer has a refractive index of 0 to 8 at a wavelength of 400nm.
 7. The decorative member of claim 1, wherein the light absorbinglayer has an extinction coefficient of greater than 0 and less than orequal to 4 at a wavelength of 400 nm.
 8. The decorative member of claim1, wherein the light absorbing layer includes two or more points withdifferent thicknesses.
 9. The decorative member of claim 1, wherein thecolor developing layer further includes a color film.
 10. The decorativemember of claim 1, wherein the color developing layer or the substrateincludes a pattern layer.
 11. The decorative member of claim 10, whereinthe pattern layer includes a convex portion or concave portion shapehaving an asymmetric-structured cross-section.
 12. The decorative memberof claim 1, which has dichroism of ΔE*ab>1.
 13. The decorative member ofclaim 1, wherein the substrate includes a plastic injection mold or aglass substrate for a cosmetic container.
 14. The decorative member ofclaim 13, wherein the plastic injection mold includes one or more typesof polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl acetate (PVAc),polyacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride(PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an ethylene-vinyl acetatecopolymer (EVA), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide and astyrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN).